Bloggers & Businesses: Ways we can work together

Some of you know that I am a Marketing and Communications professional and am immersed in the Ottawa Networking scene. I love supporting small businesses and only want to see them thrive. What kills me though, is when small business owners are not fully taking advantage of modern opportunities to do business. Specifically, I have noted that Ottawa businesses are skeptical of working with bloggers and have no clue what we do, or what to do with us.  After a few times of having to explain myself and the value of my services, I felt compelled to write a post and help these fellow business owners learn about different roles bloggers can play. I want to show that bloggers are flexible, affordable and are a crucial aspect of getting businesses more exposure online.

Oh, you’re a blogger? What exactly is a blogger?

I am an entrepreneur, just like you! As a digital strategist, I have the knowledge and experience that helps me promote myself (or your stuff!) online. I know how to take advantage of the web and leverage the power of social media to get (your stuff!) noticed (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter). Think of a blogger as an independent and modern day journalist.

I love to write and share my compelling stories online. In fact, I get paid to write these stories! I am creative, strategic and know how to integrate your products in my everyday life. I am not a model or magazine, I am a stylist which mean I have a voice and will want to choose what I promote. I have loads of people who follow me because they like my style and can relate to my lifestyle. When I talk about new products, ones that I love and endorse, odds are they will like them too! I can offer you a truly targeted audience, which is why it’s crucial that your product is a good fit.

Bloggers offer a new way of advertising; but good bloggers have the skill to do it softly and remain authentic. Bloggers can also be called influencers or brand ambassadors.

I can’t afford it.

Never assume that everything is too expensive. Again, like you, bloggers are running a business and offer a variety of services that can accommodate your budget. Just remember to offer a fair exchange; whether it’s in the form of product or payment.

Also remember that each blogger will have different prices based on their audience size, desire, experience and availability. You will pay more if a blogger has a large following, is not crazy about your product, has been in the game for a while and is extremely busy with bigger fish to fry.

How do I work with you? What services do you offer?

Again, prices may vary from blogger to blogger, but generally, here is what you can expect:

  • Event promotion (FREE)- You can invite bloggers to your event and comp their ticket in exchange for a blog post before or after the event.
  • PR event ($/$$)- You can host an intimate event, exclusively for bloggers, and  have the opportunity to talk about your new business venture or product that you are promoting. Typically, this involves a meal and gift to encourage the bloggers to write about your initiatives.
  • Product reviews (FREE/$)- You can give a blogger free products to review. Only do this if you want authentic and honest feedback for your products.
  • Banner ads ($/$$)- You can pay a blogger to advertise your product or business on their blog.
  • Newsletter or Social Media Mentions ($/$$)- You can pay the blogger to post your product on their newsletter or social media channels like Instagram Facebook Twitter Fitbay Pinterest YouTube, and  LinkedIn.
  • Sponsored blog posts ($$)- Writing takes time, so it will cost more money for a blogger to write about your product. If you want nice photos of your product integrated in the bloggers lifestyle, this may also come at a cost.
  • Brand ambassador ($$$)- Building a longstanding relationship with a blogger and having them represent your brand or use your product exclusively (includes being a spokesperson or doing TV appearances or hosting an event around the blogger).
  • Coaching ($$$$)- Business coaching is your one-on-one opportunity to work with a blogger and learn about digital strategy, marketing and how to blog for your own business.

If you have any more questions, I am happy to answer. Leave them in the comments bellow.

XOX Chantsy

PS- Stay tuned for my “9 Ways to illustrate your brand story: Instagram Workshop” for small business. I’ll be launching this in mid April and I can’t wait!

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Style Profile: Rosie Waugh of Secondhand Rose

Meet Rosie Waugh of Secondhand Rose. I like her style, so I asked her a few questions.

What’s your passion for fashion?

My passion for fashion started when I was much younger. I am incredibly shy and have been anxious my entire life and I have found that wearing interesting pieces is a great icebreaker. I’m not the best at typical small talk but I love bonding with people over shared interest and I find fashion to be the most relatable thing. My style has definitely evolved from when I was younger, I was much more wild back then, but I still love to break out the odd statement piece to gain some (hopefully positive) attention.

What XLusive tip can you share?

The most freeing moment in my fashion life was the moment that I decided to wear what I wanted to wear and to rock what makes me feel most comfortable. I’m definitely a bigger girl and I gravitate towards more boxy and oversized pieces which is something I’ve been told to stay away from my entire life. Throwing out all of the rules and not letting anyone tell you what to wear is such an amazing feeling! One tip that I’d like to share is to go shopping alone. That’s when I personally find my best pieces. I just concentrate on what I like and what I know I’ll wear and I block out all of the outside noise and pressure.

Stay Social with Rosie!

Blog: www.secondhand-rose.ca
Twitter & Instagram: @rosiexwaugh
Facebook: facebook.com/secondhandroseblog

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Delta Ottawa’s Lift Lounge offers a ‘True Canadian Experience’

Canadian fare is more than just peameal bacon and poutine. Chefs from Delta & Marriott Hotels across the country, like Stefan Müeller, Eric Larcom, Robert Gendreau and Ottawa’s own Executive Chef Jason Duffy, are here to prove it!

Introducing, “A True Canadian Experience by Lift”. It is a one-of-a-kind culinary event happening this week (January 27-29 2016 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.) at Lift lounge, Delta’s newest eatery. This all-you-can-indulge event is an opportunity to celebrate the best of everything Canada has to offer; from arts and music to food and beverage.

The coast-to-coast menu will present focal eats from different regions across Canada– Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and the Maritimes. Think Alberta beef and East coast oysters, meet Ontario duck and Quebec maple, my mouth is salivating just thinking about this.

“Featuring local musicians and skilled artists like painters, sculptors, LIFT is stepping up as the new venue providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents in Ottawa!”

It doesn’t get any more local/Canadian than this!

Tickets are $49.95 plus tax and include a wine & beer tasting for two hours. You can purchase them here. For more details about the event, check out their Facebook event page.

So, to all of those who are looking for a date night or a way to spice up your winter, please join me for #ExperienceLift and indulge in a ‘True North Strong and Free’ evening. I’ll be there on Wednesday night, I hope to see you there!

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Capital Catwalk: Her Campus uOttawa

Finally, I am proud to call myself a uOttawa alumni! hahaha

Capital Catwalk featuring Chantal Sarkisian Mode XLusive Ottawa Fashion Blog and Ottawa Lifestyle blogger

Please join me and Her Campus uOttawa for an elegant evening of fashion and entertainment in honour of The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. Her Campus uOttawa is hosting their 4th annual charity fashion show, Capital Catwalk, at the EY Centre on January 30th. In keeping with their tradition, there will be a silent auction, marketplace, entertainment and of course, fashion!

I am honoured to be MC’ing the event alongside Rayhan Pitigala, uOttawa student and health writer for Her Campus uOttawa.

Some of my favourite local designers will be part of the Fashion Show and I can’t wait to present them!

Buy your tickets now, because this event will sell out quick! There are still opportunities for sponsors and vendors in the marketplace, just send your inquiries to Monica. Rates are super affordable and 100% of the proceeds go towards the ORCF.

I’m a little anxious for my debut, I have to admit. I feel quite old amongst the student crowd! Please come out and support the event, if not to encourage me! Hope to see you there.

!!!GIVEAWAY TIME- I have 2 tickets to the event with your name on it!!!
Leave a comment below with an outfit idea for me.
I will select a random name on Monday January 25 2016.

Her Campus uOttawa is an online chapter magazine at the university of Ottawa. The magazine is written and run entirely by students. In the past, HCuOttawa has raised money for The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, The Canadian Lupus Society, and The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. In addition to hosting an annual charity fashion show, the magazine also hosted their first ever student leadership conference last year, and will continue to host the conference each year because of its success. Due to HCuOttawa’s viral and unique articles and large-scale and extravagent events, they have been crowned a Pink Level Chapter by Her Campus National and continue to uphold the title for a second year in a row.

 

 

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